(1973/JAPAN)
AKA-YASAGURE ANEGO DEN: SOKATSU RINCHI, FEMALE YAKUZA TALE: INQUISITION AND TORTURE
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-TERUO ISHII CAST-REIKO IKE, MAKOTO ASHIKAWA, ARUMI KURI, MEIKA SERI, JUN MIDORIKAWA, EMI JO, TORU ABE and KANJURO ARASHI. SOURCE-PANIK HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT DVD (NTSC REGION 1 / 2005)
In this sequel to SEX & FURY, director Teruo Ishii brings back the character of Ocho, who at the end of SEX & FURY was pretty much on her death bed with the amount of wounds that were inflected upon her. Though, needless to say she recovers and has set out to investigate a drug smuggling ring that involves the Yakuza. In this ring, three cons are forcing women to transport drugs via their vaginas. As she slows infiltrates this ring, she also discovers that a Yakuza group that was once lead by a boss who saved her and set her straight is now on the brick of being last that the very entity he once saved her from. The new boss employs her to cheat in a gambling match in order to save the group and it’s territory. Ocho, who agrees uses this as leverage to find who is behind the drug ring.
In grand Teruo Ishii style, FEMALE YAKUZA TALE is decked out with colorful characters, bizarre situations and bloody action. Setting this sequel far differently then SEX & FURY. Though building on the formula of Reiko Ike’s rough and tumble gambling ace character of Ocho, Ishii also brings to the table a labyrinth of characters as well as strangely bizarre situations throughout the film’s storyline. Prostitutes that are forced to becomes drug dependent as they mule heroin via their vaginas etc. A Yakuza boss who dresses to the hilt in mob styled pin-striped suits that are often an eye sore at best. These are just a glimpse of the many different and very colorful array of characters brought to the table. There are areas throughout the film where you are subjected to situations only Ishii could have concocted.
For instance when the Old-Boss’ daughter is being held in a mental ward, the whole scenario played out is nightmarish, as these kabuki-like women dance around them singing strangely as the Yakuza kill her. Even at the film’s beginning, where Ocho is surrounded by a bound of assassins, the dance if you can call it that is hypnotic, yet very stylish. Pouring rain, she carries an umbrella that habours a sword in it’s spine. As they assassins come in the attack, in a series of quick movements she detaches the sword from the umbrella and kills them one by one. Pretty much setting the pace and tone for the rest of the film. Still, with all the color and action provided her in FEMALE YAKUZA TALE, it just doesn’t mount to the shear style Suzuki brought in SEX & FURY. Not only that, but’s solid story and acting as well. Though, FEMALE YAKUZA TALE is very entertaining, but does stand on a different plain then SEX & FURY. One aspect that does have these two films in the same boat are each of their music scores. Both are high octane driven, fast paced as are both storylines. The tracks to each areas of the film fit accordingly and compliment them with complete style. Trust me, the score really adds a lot to these films and more so here in FEMALE YAKUZA TALE.
Once again this Panik House release is shear brilliance, bringing a Toei classic back to it’s fullest. Presented in a very beautiful anamorphic wide-screen taken from the original negative, totally re-mastered and updated. This goes along with the audio as well, though only presented in a Japanese mono with English subtitles, the audio is quite clean. Along with the audio choice, you are also able to listen to another Chris D, commentary track throughout the film. Like his commentary in SEX & FURY, he is very in-depth and thorough especially for those like myself who are just discovering these film for the first time.
Also presented with the special features on this DVD, are the original Japanese theatrical trailer which also comes with optional English subtitles. A still and poster gallery, director and actor bios as well as production notes. This like the SEX & FURY release, is presented in a clear case and slip cover for the first 10,000 units. You simply can’t grab one with out the other.
STORY/FILM-3/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3.5/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-3/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD- 3/5 BITCH SLAPS You can purchase this X-Ploited Cinema
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